Lens ReviewMorten ByskovJuly 15, 2021Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8L IS sample images, Canon RF 24-70mm f/2.8 sample photos, Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS review, Canon RF 70-200mm review, Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS sample images, Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8 sample photos, Canon RF 70-200 2.8 review, Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS vs. f/4L IS, Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS - Handling, Specs, and Build Quality, The Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS in Action, Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS - Image Quality1 Comment

Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS Review

Lens Review of the Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS by Morten Byskov, 5050 Travelog — The Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS

A Fujifilm Photographer’s Quick Look At the Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

When I reviewed the Canon EOS R5 a few weeks ago I tried it with two lenses, the RF 24-70mm f/2.8L IS and RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS. Both are bread-and-butter workhorse lenses in the Canon mirrorless R system.

Back in the film days, I had a Canon EF 80-200 f/2.8L, and when the digital era hit I started out with a Canon EF 70-200mm f/4L and later the f/2.8 version, both were non-IS. From that standpoint it was interesting for me to get my hands on the RF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS although I now have my feet firmly planted in the Fujifilm ecosystem.

The 70-200mm focal length range is undeniably important for many photographers as it is such a versatile range for any number of topics from sports, to portraits, landscapes, and even certain types of wildlife photography where you don’t need to get super close to your topic.

I mainly used my 70-200mm lenses for sports but for long periods they served as jack-of-all-trades telephoto lenses and I especially have fond memories of a trip to Yellowstone National Park where I used my EF 70-200mm f/2.8L extensively. I have since migrated to prime lenses so it was also interesting to explore the entire 70-200mm range again.

Three friends take in the sunset at English Bay Beach in Vancouver, Canada. Sample image from a Canon 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS — English Bay Beach, Vancouver. Canon EOS R5, RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS @ f/11, 200 mm

Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS - Handling, Specs, and Build Quality

The fit and finish of the RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS are just superb. Canon has always gone to great lengths in its design effort when it comes to the white telephoto lenses and the 70-200mm being the most popular I think gets special attention.

It is apparent in every little detail from the font chosen for inscriptions to how the tripod mount screw feels. It is virtually impossible to pick on anything that isn’t aesthetically pleasing to the eye or functions well.

The RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS weighs 2.35 lb, 1070 g, a remarkable almost 17 oz, 500 g, lighter than the latest EF version. Dimensions are 3.5 x 7.83", 88.8 x 199 mm, and it takes 77mm filters. It has 1 super UD element, 1 UD element, and 2 aspherical elements.

The most notable change to the RF version is the fact that the lens protrudes as you zoom whereas the EF version does not. I thought it would bother me more than it did and it makes for a more compact lens and I didn’t experience any zoom travel.

The RF 70-200mm stayed in whatever zoom position I had it in, even while walking. It does have a zoom lock button. This high level of finesse will cost you and the new RF version is priced $600.00 higher than the latest EF version.

The Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS currently retails for $2,699.00.

The Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS in Action

The RF 70-200 f/2.8L IS is very smooth to operate in nearly every way. I do find the new rear cap design odd as you have to line the cap up in one specific position before you can reattach it. Not a biggy but why?

Autofocus is fast and silent and tracking with the Canon EOS R5 is probably as fast as it gets. Canon’s autofocus implementation is rather brilliant and especially eye detection is stellar, even at far distances.

For the most part, I shoot smaller Fujifilm primes and will admit that during our cycling trip with the Canon EOS R5 and the two lenses, even the thought of switching lenses was daunting.

I often left the RF 70-200mm in the bag unless a scene really cried out to be captured with the longer lens. This meant that I probably used the RF 24-70mm f/2.8L IS more out of the two options I had.

Spirit of False Creek XVII crossing False Creek in Vancouver, Canada. Sample image from a Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS — False Creek, Vancouver. Canon EOS R5, RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS @ f/3.5, 177 mm

Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS - Image Quality

I never owned or tried the later iterations of Canon’s EF 70-200mm lenses so I cannot compare directly but I felt the Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8 L IS left a signature that I recognized from my former EF 70-200mm f/2.8L non IS or EF 300mm f/2.8L IS.

The latter, of course, is another beast altogether. But there is plenty of sharpness and the RF 70-200mm renders nice colors to my eye.

I did a few portraits of friends that I won’t share here but the RF 70-200mm proved to be a well-rounded lens with pleasing bokeh for this application also.

The Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS shown on the Canon EOS R5

Final Thoughts

It was fun to try out a 70-200mm lens again but on a personal level, this is not a lens I would consider, only because I shoot differently now than I did 10 years ago.

If I had invested in the EOS R system I would probably try out the RF 70-200mm f/4 L IS before making a decision and perhaps pair this with a faster prime to have the best of both worlds, a zoom lens for when you need flexibility, and a fast and compact prime when that is what you prefer or what is needed.

The RF 70-200mm f/4L IS comes in at $1,100.00 less than the f/2.8 version at $1,599.00 and with a more manageable weight of 1.5 lb, 695 g.

I have little doubt that the Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS will be able to handle just about everything you can throw at it. A Swiss army knife of 70-200mm lenses if you will. As long as you can stomach the $2,699.00 price tag.

To see more sample images from the Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS please see my Canon EOS R5 review here:

Canon EOS R5 - Review

Price / Availability

Thank you for reading my review. I hope you found it helpful. If you are planning a purchase and would like to support our site you can do so, at no additional cost, by using the affiliate link below.

Check availability and current price at B&H Photo

Canon RF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS - B&H Photo

Thank you for your support.